Star Fox Zero Reviews
While Star Fox Zero offers up some exhilarating dogfights with a unique control scheme that actually makes motion controls work, its highest highs are let down all too frequently by repetitive, mundane on-rails segments that sour the freedom that the game gives you in short bursts.
Star Fox Zero is a classic Star Fox game that stays true to the formula set by its predecessors. With a focus on replayability, unlockable content, discovering alternate paths, and pushing for higher scores, fans of the SNES original and Star Fox 64 will find that the game has everything they love about the franchise and plenty more. In the current gaming era, it is rare to see an on-rail arcade shooter like this release, and that makes Star Fox Zero a treat for Wii U owners. It plays and feels like a successor to Star Fox 64, and fans of the franchise shouldn't miss out.
Star Fox Zero is a fun trip back to the days of the Super FX chip on the SNES, but for a modern sci-fi shooter on the Wii U it feels a bit threadbare.
Overall, Star Fox harkens back to a time when a different kind of shooter ruled the roost, making it a blast from the past for old-school gamers and a refreshing experience for younger players. The hybrid controls will likely be divisive for purists and the on-rails sections and invisible borders of All-Range Mode might feel confining for some. Like getting the hang of a stick shift car, however, the gameplay can be a hoot once you master its operation.
Star Fox Zero tries and fails to blend the nostalgic feel of StarFox 64 with new controls. While the game can be enjoyable and comes with some exciting moments, it is muddled down by unwieldy controls and bland level design.
There are plenty of nostalgic aspects present in this crisp and beautiful high-definition title, reminiscent of games gone by. At the same time it shakes things up with some drastic changes to the game play that can be too jarring for some to want to put up with, making it a bit of a black sheep to many. For those who take the time to master the play style, however, it is incredibly rewarding and satisfying.
Star Fox Zero follows the classic structure of its predecessors and tops it off with a new control system that will make or break how the players perceive Nintendo's latest opus in the Star Fox series. It could certainly benefit from a more luxurious visual environment but once its new control system has been mastered, the players will find this new collectables-packed journey across the Lylat system nothing short of rewarding and satisfying.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Star Fox Zero is a surprising game that gets better level after level. The unusual control scheme might be hard to master, but you'll soon discover that is the fulcrum for an original and innovative experience, shaped by the creative talent of Shigeru Miyamoto.
Review in Italian | Read full review
While there's a lot to like about Zero, its gameplay innovations seem sometimes obstructive and the presentation fails to impress in some regards. It's still a great game, but measured against other timeless Nintendo classics, its shortfalls hold it back from standing in the company of giants.
Star Fox Zero is a very fun game. But you first need to learn that lesson the hard way.
Star Fox Zero is, simply put, a great Wii U game. While the control scheme is unconventional, it's fitting for a game that goes out of its way to surprise you with additional modes, trophy rewards, hidden locations, and a spin-off with gameplay never before attempted within the series. Which, in a way makes sense. Star Fox 64 was incredible, after all. Of course a game inspired by it would be amazing in its own right. And Star Fox Zero is. Once you find your footing, you'll be proud to be part of Team Star Fox.
Star Fox's loooooooong awaited return doesn't disappoint on any conceivable level…well…maybe online multiplayer, but given how great this game is, it would be silly to complain.
Despite all these pressing and quite glaring faults, there is a good game and pleasant experience to be salvaged from out of Star Fox Zero's momentary, lofty set-pieces and short-lived moments of daring adventure.
I hate giving such a low score to a game inspired by a childhood favorite, in a genre that tends to excite me, that tried to bring innovation and immersion to a generally simple genre. However, the fact remains that the game is divisive at the least. I can't imagine a non-gamer being able to appreciate this game, and gamers have already shown that not all of them can appreciate this title. Had it not been Nintendo or Star Fox, I feel the design choices alone would have doomed this title.
A bit too short, a little fiddly and a little less than invitingly re-playable to recommend to many more than the concrete fans or curious WiiU owners intrigued by the last hurrah of a dying platform.
Star Fox Zero could be a great game if it could decide what game it wanted to be, and unnecessarily touchy controls, confused pace, underwhelming branching paths, and a serious shift away from its rail shooter roots are what it has to show for trying to be all of them at once.
The only case Star Fox Zero convincingly makes is one for maybe permanently retiring the franchise.
Star Fox Zero is a fun game on the Wii U not only offers some entertaining gameplay but some immersive level design matched with first class graphics and audio. Sure it's a little dated here and there but overall, Platinum Games should be commended on bringing this game to the 21st century.
Closure on a difficult chapter in Nintendo's history
Same old Star Fox, fantastic new control scheme.